Understanding the building envelope!
Why is this important?
Is my building in danger?
A building envelope is the separation between the interior and the exterior environments of a building. It serves as the outer shell to protect the interior environment as well as to
facilitate the control of the interior climate. Building envelope designing is a specialized area of architecture and a design practice that draws from all areas of a building exterior integrity and
indoor climate environment.
Building envelope design includes four major performance objectives:
- Structural integrity of exterior components
- Moisture control
- Temperature control of interior climate
- Control of air pressure boundaries
Control of air pressure includes any movement through the components of the building envelope (interstitial) itself, as well as into and out of the interior space, which affects a buildings
insulation and R - Value greatly.
The physical components of the envelope include the structural foundation, below grade footers, the roof system, exterior walls, doorways, and exterior windows. The dimensions, performance and
compatibility of materials, fabrication process and details, their connections and interactions are the main factors that determine the effectiveness and durability of the building enclosure
system.
Common measures of the effectiveness of a building envelope include physical protection from weather and climate, indoor air quality, durability and energy efficiency of the entire entity. In order
to achieve these objectives, all building enclosure systems must include a solid structure, a drainage plane, an air barrier, a thermal barrier, as well include a vapor barrier. Moisture control is
essential in cold climates and any moisture from condensation may lead to toxic mold or and unwanted intrusion.
Control of air pressure includes any movement through the components of the building envelope (interstitial) itself, as well as into and out of the interior space, which affects a buildings insulation and R - Value greatly.
The physical components of the envelope include the structural foundation, below grade footers, the roof system, exterior
walls, doorways, and exterior windows. The dimensions, performance and compatibility of materials, fabrication process and details, their connections and interactions are the main factors that
determine the effectiveness and durability of the building enclosure system.
Common measures of the effectiveness of a building envelope include physical protection from weather and climate, indoor air quality, durability and energy efficiency of the entire entity. In order
to achieve these objectives, all building enclosure systems must include a solid structure, a drainage plane, an air barrier, a thermal barrier, as well include a vapor barrier. Moisture control is
essential in cold climates and any moisture from condensation may lead to toxic mold and/or unwanted intrusion.
The building envelope is important to maintain because a tight building envelope:
- Contributes to a strong structural foundation and helps to hold up the building
- Keeps out the rain, groundwater, wind and moisture vapor
- Keeps out soil gas, such as radon
- Removes moisture vapor from the inside your home
- Keeps the heat in during the winter and out during the summer thereby reducing heating and air conditioning costs
- Prevents insect and vermin infestation
- Prevents condensation inside a building’s foundation, walls and roof assemblies.
A tight building envelope is
extremely important when trying to reduce energy usage. As much as 40% of heating and cooling loss is due to air leakage. Products that can provide you with a tight building envelope benefit the
comfort and health of you and your family as well as decrease the impact on the environment by reducing your energy cost.
This means Energy Savings !
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